how much does a divorce lawyer cost in washington state

Washington State divorce law costs between $250 and $285 per hour for an experienced lawyer. To obtain an alimony agreement, divorce attorneys normally charge between $11k and $12k for the entire dissolution of the marriage. However, in the case of mutual divorce, the costs are significantly low, usually between $5k and $8k.

Full Answer

How much does a divorce cost in Washington State?

A divorce lawyer in Washington charges approximately $250–$300 per hour. Uncontested Divorce—Cheap Divorce in Washington State In a friendly or uncontested divorce, the husband and wife mutually agree on the terms of the divorce. This type of divorce is less expensive and less stressful compared to a contested one.

What are the requirements for divorce in Washington State?

If the divorcing parties meet this criterion, they are in luck (in a sense)—an uncontested divorce is much less expensive than the contested variety. Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee.

What is the divorce rate in Washington State?

Sep 16, 2020 · Average total costs for Washington divorce lawyers are $10,500 to $12,000 but are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. We all know that getting divorced can be expensive, especially when a couple has children or significant property together. But from one couple to the next—or one place to the next—divorce costs might vary widely.

How much will my divorce cost?

Washington State divorce law costs between $250 and $285 per hour for an experienced lawyer. To obtain an alimony agreement, divorce attorneys normally charge between $11k and $12k for the entire dissolution of the marriage.

How long does a divorce take in Washington State?

three monthsHow Long Does it Take to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Washington State? An uncontested divorce in Washington State takes an average of three months to complete. Contrastingly, a contested divorce can easily take twelve months or longer, depending on the complexity of the marital assets.Sep 18, 2020

How much does a good divorce attorney cost?

Average Fees for a Divorce Lawyer It is typical for new lawyers to charge $100+/hour and experienced attorneys to charge $300+/hour. You can expect to see outlier pricing that ranges from $30 to $500/hour as well. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.Jul 21, 2020

How much does a lawyer cost in Washington State?

How much do lawyers charge in Washington? The typical lawyer in Washington charges between $175 and $378 per hour. Costs vary depending on the type of lawyer, so review our lawyer rates table to find out the average cost to hire an attorney in Washington.

Is Washington State a 50/50 divorce state?

Washington is a 50/50 divorce state. This means that almost all property, assets, and debts acquired during a marriage are subject to division in a divorce—regardless of who secured them.Jun 1, 2021

Who pays for the divorce?

the petitionerThe simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

How much does it cost to get a divorce if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Washington State?

You get a decree, a division of all the parties' property, a parenting plan, a child support order, and potentially spousal maintenance (alimony).

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Washington state?

If you are expecting a relatively simple and low-conflict divorce, it probably does not matter whether you or your spouse initially file for divorce. However, if you believe that your divorce may involve a contentious court case or custody battle, it could be slightly advantageous to file for divorce.

Who gets the house in a divorce in Washington State?

Courts usually award each spouse his or her separate property and divide community property 50/50. Consequently, if the house is entirely one spouse's separate property, he or she almost always receives it unless the parties agree otherwise.

How much is alimony in Washington?

Most judges award maintenance lasting 20-33% of the length of the marriage, and the monthly amount tapers with time. For example, the judge might award $2,000 for 2 years, and then decrease that amount by $200 every six months until maintenance ends.

Is adultery illegal in Washington?

Cheating doesn't matter because Washington State is a "no-fault" state, which means that either party can file for divorce without providing proof of a particular cause, such as adultery.

What can be used against you in a divorce?

Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.Jan 22, 2021

What is uncontested divorce?

We should begin by defining the term ‘uncontested’. In this context, uncontested means the parties (husband and wife) settle at the outset of the case. By way of further clarification, it does NOT simply mean the parties agree to a divorce. To be uncontested, the parties must reach agreement on EACH AND EVERY TERM AT THE DATE THE DIVORCE PETITION IS FILED. This is because an agreed petition (petition and joinder) delineates the terms of the settlement, such who receives what assets, who pays what debts, and the amount of alimony.

Is an uncontested divorce less expensive than a contested divorce?

If the divorcing parties meet this criterion, they are in luck (in a sense)—an uncontested divorce is much less expensive than the contested variety.

The Cost of a Divorce Lawyer in Washington State

Most readers in our survey (in fact, more than two-thirds of them) hired a lawyer to help with their divorce. For those readers, the attorney’s fee generally made up the bulk of their divorce costs.

How Disputes and Trial Affect the Cost of Divorce in Washington

Not surprisingly, it’s very common for couples to disagree about important issues at stake in their divorce, especially:

What Other Expenses Contribute to the Cost of Divorce?

Besides attorney’s fees, there are other costs involved in the divorce process, including filing fees and a fee for the final hearing date. You might also have to pay the fees for a mediator and experts like child custody evaluators or financial analysts. Our national survey showed an average of $1,600 for these non-lawyer expenses.

More Information and Resources on Washington Divorce

Follow the links below for more useful information about divorce in Washington:

How much does it cost to get divorced in Washington?

Just to file for divorce in Washington, it costs roughly $350. (This includes fees for filing, a judicial surcharge, and court facilitator costs.) From there, you have to serve your spouse. If you hire a lawyer, they can handle that, likely for a fee, or you can use an outside process server.

What is included in divorce settlement?

Your settlement can also include stipulations that your ex must refinance loans to be in one name. In a perfect world, that’s what will happen.

What forms are needed for divorce?

There are two forms that are required for every divorce: Confidential Information Form and a. Certificate of Dissolution – Vital Statistics form.

What happens after dividing assets?

After dividing the shared assets, if financial need or a large gap in earning potential still exists, the court may award spousal support. The court may take into account factors like:

Do divorces require experts?

The cost of a complex divorce will be impacted by the necessity of experts. Many cases don’t require experts, but for those that do, it can be an expensive proposition.

What happens after divorce?

TaxesMany people often fail to consider the impact of taxes in post-divorce life. After finalizing your divorce, your filing status changes.

Do you pay child support if you have children?

If you have children, and you’re not the custodial parent, you’ll likely pay child support. Designed to provide for the continuing care and well-being of your kids, and cover the basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, the parent with the most overnights usually receives the payments from the other.

How much does a divorce cost?

A divorce where lawyers argue back and forth on behalf of their clients can cost tens of thousands. Most uncontested divorces cost each spouse several thousand dollars before a final agreement is reached.

How to save money on attorney fees?

We always say it is better to take your money and spend it on yourself. Take a vacation, take a trip, or visit family or friends. Then come back and try to reach the agreement with your spouse.

What is limited representation?

The most common type of limited representation is for the attorney to simply draft all the documents for you and answer basic questions. In a limited representation, you and the attorney share the responsibilities of completing your uncontested divorce.

Can an attorney give you legal advice?

For example, an attorney can advise you of options and explain the legal process to you. In contrast, it is against the law for a non-attorney to give you any legal advice, such as explaining your legal options based on your particular situation and circumstances .

What does an attorney do for a divorce?

The attorney reviews the agreement you reached with your spouse and then prepares all the necessary documents for your unique situation and circumstances. If the attorney has any concerns about your agreement, he or she brings these issues to your attention, allowing you and your spouse to amend your agreement.

Can you get divorced in Washington State?

In Washington State, the law only requires one spouse to petition for the divorce. Since the other spouse cannot legally prevent the divorce, working with each other to accomplish the divorce amicably is wise and the most affordable approach. In an amicable divorce, you and your spouse work out the issues of your divorce instead ...

Why is divorce so costly?

Simply put, divorce is expensive because it requires a couple to take one household budget and divide it to support two households. Additional expenses, such as hiring an attorney or paying court fees, can easily push the cost of your divorce above $10,000.

Factors to Consider

Two important factors will influence the overall cost of your divorce: children and whether the divorce is contentious or amicable. Generally speaking, contested divorces are more expensive because they require additional time in the courtroom. An amicable or uncontested divorce, on the other hand, will take less time, saving money on fees, etc.

Get in Touch with McKinley Irvin to Learn More

If you are considering a divorce, the Washington family law attorneys at McKinley Irvin are here to help. As the largest matrimonial law firm in the region, our legal team has served hundreds of clients just like you and is ready to use this experience to help your case. We have office locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue Vancouver, and Puyallup.

How much does a divorce attorney cost in Washington?

In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000. The main thing you should take into account when calculating the cost of legal services is that the more issues have to be resolved by an attorney and the judge, the more expensive the divorce will be. Reaching an agreement together with your spouse will help you to significantly lower the costs.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Washington?

Legal Fees. Unlike in other states, where the fees can reach almost $500, the Washington state divorce filing fees are just $280 . However, you might have to cover some extra costs like a delivery service or photocopying.

How to file for divorce in Washington state?

When trying to understand how to file for divorce in Washington state, couples usually receive advice to visit a lawyer. It is definitely the best course of action for a contested divorce, where you will ask a judge to make divorce-related decisions for you and your spouse. In such a case, a lawyer will advocate for you during a trial and help you get the best outcome out of your marriage dissolution. However, if you are planning to have an uncontested marriage dissolution and have already come to an agreement with your spouse regarding it, hiring a lawyer is not a necessity. Therefore, you can save an incredible amount of money by getting help with your paperwork online.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

Even if you decide to get a lawyer, you will likely have to pay them about $4,000-$5,000, which is around $10,000 less than in a contested case.

How long does it take to get divorced?

As such cases rarely get resolved in one sitting, and it takes time to schedule hearings, it may take a few months or even years to legally end your marriage. Generally, divorce requires a lot of time and effort.

How to get divorced without a divorce decree?

Therefore, if you are going for a DIY option, you need to understand what exactly you are signing up for: 1 First of all, make sure that you are in fact eligible for uncontested dissolution. You and your spouse need to be in full agreement on asset division, childcare, and other aspects of your divorce 2 Visit the website of the state to look for the divorce-related information. If you have children, check the guidelines on custody and child support calculations. Also, find out if you need to attend any parenting classes. 3 Find and choose the Washington state divorce forms required for your case. Make sure they are up-to-date, have no watermarks, and there are no mistakes in the questions. 4 Go through each form carefully and fill it out. It is very important to check any unfamiliar term during this stage as making a mistake would imply refilling the documents all over again. 5 Check what fields in the forms should be left blank for a court clerk to fill out. Also, before you sign anything, make sure you do not need to do it in front of a notary.